Inspection apparatus

ABSTRACT

An inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection apparatus including: a vacuum chamber; a load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and an ambient environment; and a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber includes a first parking position and a second parking position for temporarily storing the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of EP application 18202014.9 which was filed on Oct. 23, 2018 and EP application 19151427.2 which was filed on Jan. 11, 2019 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an inspection tool or apparatus as can be used for the inspection of objects, in particular objects used in the manufacturing of integrated circuits using an EUV lithographic apparatus. In particular, the inspection tool or apparatus may be used to inspect pellicles that are used in an EUV lithographic apparatus to shield a patterned reticle from contamination.

BACKGROUND

A lithographic apparatus is a machine constructed to apply a desired pattern onto a substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). A lithographic apparatus may, for example, project a pattern at a patterning device (e.g., a mask) onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on a substrate.

To project a pattern on a substrate a lithographic apparatus may use electromagnetic radiation. The wavelength of this radiation determines the minimum size of features which can be formed on the substrate. A lithographic apparatus, which uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, having a wavelength within the range 4-20 nm, for example 6.7 nm or 13.5 nm, may be used to form smaller features on a substrate than a lithographic apparatus which uses, for example, radiation with a wavelength of 193 nm.

the patterning device as mentioned is, in case of an EUV lithographic apparatus often shielded by a pellicle. Prior to the application of the pellicle, the pellicle needs to undergo a qualification or inspection process, in order to assess that it meets specification.

In known arrangements, such a qualification process may be rather time-consuming and may not have the required accuracy.

SUMMARY

it is an object of the present invention to provide in an inspection apparatus for inspection of an object such as a pellicle, whereby the processing time is reduced and/or the accuracy is improved. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection apparatus comprising:

-   -   a vacuum chamber;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and         an ambient environment;     -   a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the load         lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber;         wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a first parking position         and a second parking position for temporarily storing the         object.

According to the first aspect of the invention, there is further provided an inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection apparatus comprising:

-   -   a vacuum chamber;     -   a first load lock forming an interface between the vacuum         chamber and an ambient environment;     -   a second load lock forming an interface between the vacuum         chamber and an ambient environment;         a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the         first load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum         chamber and configured to provide the object to the second load         lock.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection apparatus comprising:

-   -   a chamber configured to provide in a conditioned atmosphere for         inspecting the object;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the chamber and an         ambient environment;     -   a radiation beam source configured to generate a radiation beam         for inspecting the object;     -   a radiation beam measurement system configured to measure a         characteristic of the radiation beam, wherein the radiation beam         measurement system comprises:         -   a member arranged in an optical path of the radiation beam             between the radiation beam source and the object, the member             comprising an aperture to allow part of the radiation beam             to propagate to the object, and         -   at least one radiation sensor arranged on the member and             configured to measure to the characteristic of the radiation             beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a lithographic system comprising a lithographic apparatus and a radiation source;

FIGS. 2A-2F depict a first embodiment of an inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict a second embodiment of an inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a radiation beam measurement system as can be applied in an inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts another radiation beam measurement system as can be applied in an inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

-   FIG. 1 shows a lithographic system comprising a radiation source SO     and a lithographic apparatus LA. The radiation source SO is     configured to generate an EUV radiation beam B and to supply the EUV     radiation beam B to the lithographic apparatus LA. The lithographic     apparatus LA comprises an illumination system IL, a support     structure MT configured to support a patterning device MA (e.g., a     mask), a projection system PS and a substrate table WT configured to     support a substrate W.

The illumination system IL is configured to condition the EUV radiation beam B before the EUV radiation beam B is incident upon the patterning device MA. Thereto, the illumination system IL may include a facetted field mirror device 10 and a facetted pupil mirror device 11. The faceted field mirror device 10 and faceted pupil mirror device 11 together provide the EUV radiation beam B with a desired cross-sectional shape and a desired intensity distribution. The illumination system IL may include other mirrors or devices in addition to, or instead of, the faceted field mirror device 10 and faceted pupil mirror device 11.

-   After being thus conditioned, the EUV radiation beam B interacts     with the patterning device MA. As a result of this interaction, a     patterned EUV radiation beam B′ is generated. The projection system     PS is configured to project the patterned EUV radiation beam B′ onto     the substrate W. For that purpose, the projection system PS may     comprise a plurality of mirrors 13,14 which are configured to     project the patterned EUV radiation beam B′ onto the substrate W     held by the substrate table WT. The projection system PS may apply a     reduction factor to the patterned EUV radiation beam B′, thus     forming an image with features that are smaller than corresponding     features on the patterning device MA. For example, a reduction     factor of 4 or 8 may be applied. Although the projection system PS     is illustrated as having only two mirrors 13,14 in FIG. 1, the     projection system PS may include a different number of mirrors (e.g.     six or eight mirrors). The substrate W may include previously formed     patterns. Where this is the case, the lithographic apparatus LA     aligns the image, formed by the patterned EUV radiation beam B′,     with a pattern previously formed on the substrate W. -   A relative vacuum, i.e. a small amount of gas (e.g. hydrogen) at a     pressure well below atmospheric pressure, may be provided in the     radiation source SO, in the illumination system IL, and/or in the     projection system PS. -   The radiation source SO may be a laser produced plasma (LPP) source,     a discharge produced plasma (DPP) source, a free electron laser     (FEL) or any other radiation source that is capable of generating     EUV radiation. -   The present invention relates to manufacture of components for an     apparatus or for use in an apparatus. The apparatus may be a     lithographic apparatus, for example an extreme ultraviolet (EUV)     lithographic apparatus such as may be used to fabricate integrated     circuit chips. The components may be, for example, membranes or     pellicles for use in the apparatus. -   During production of components, it may be necessary to test the     components to ensure they satisfy certain criteria. Some tests may     be carried out in a specific environment, for example a vacuum     environment. This may be provided in a vacuum chamber. It will be     appreciated, of course, that other processing, measurements or     handling of the components may also be performed in the vacuum     chamber. In order to maintain a vacuum environment within the vacuum     chamber, an antechamber (also known as a load lock) may be provided.     A component can be inserted into the load lock at ambient pressure.     The load lock is then sealed and the air pumped out until vacuum     conditions matching those of the vacuum chamber are prevalent in the     load lock. The load lock is then opened to the vacuum chamber and     the component can then be moved from the load lock to the vacuum     chamber ready for testing or other procedures to be carried out.     When the component is to be removed from the vacuum chamber, the     process is reversed. In other words, the component is transferred to     the load lock in a vacuum and the load lock is sealed off from the     vacuum chamber. Ambient pressure is then restored to the load lock     by pumping air into the space inside the load lock. Once ambient     pressure is reached, the load lock can be opened and the component     removed. -   In the case of sensitive and/or delicate components, such as a     pellicle for an EUV apparatus, the pumping and venting time may be     of the order of a few hours in order to preserve mechanical     integrity of the component by maintaining a low pressure     differential as well as reduce the risk of contamination by keeping     the gas flow speed low. This may be significantly greater than the     time taken to test the component(s) in the vacuum chamber, for     example up to twice as long. -   The present invention discloses two solutions to the above problem.     In a first embodiment, the present invention provides an inspection     apparatus for inspecting an object or a component, e.g. a pellicle     for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus. -   In accordance with the first embodiment, the inspection apparatus     comprises:     -   a vacuum chamber;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and         an ambient environment;     -   a stage apparatus configured to receive the component from the         load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, in order to reduce total manufacturing and/or testing time, or, more specifically, to increase throughput of components, it is proposed to use part of the vacuum chamber for storage of components such that the loading and/or unloading phase can be performed for a first component at the same time as a second component is being tested.

-   In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum     chamber of the inspection apparatus comprises a first parking     position and a second parking position. In accordance with the     present invention, a parking position refers to a position or     location where a component may be temporarily stored. -   In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, it     is thus proposed to provide two parking positions inside the vacuum     chamber. As will be illustrated below, the application of two     parking positions inside the vacuum chamber enables the operating of     the load lock while a first component is present inside the load     lock, said operating e.g. including pumping out air out of the load     lock or pumping air into the load lock ,at the same time as the     processing, e.g. inspecting of a second component that is arranged     inside the vacuum chamber. A possible sequence for this process is     illustrated further in FIGS. 2A to 2F below. FIGS. 2A to 2F     schematically show plan views of an inspection apparatus 100     according to the present invention. In the embodiment as shown, the     inspection apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber 110, a load lock     120, a stage apparatus 130, whereby the vacuum chamber 110 includes     two parking positions 140.1 and 140.2, also indicated as PP1 and     PP2. -   In an embodiment, a load lock such as load lock 120 may be     considered an interface between a first atmosphere and an second     atmosphere, e.g. between an ambient atmosphere or environment and a     vacuum environment. Such a load lock may e.g. comprise comprises a     first door, dotted lines 120.1, a second door 120.2 and a load lock     chamber 120.3, the first door 120.1 being configured to separate the     ambient environment from the load lock chamber 120.3, the second     door 120.2 being configured to separate the vacuum chamber 110 from     the load lock chamber 120.3. In general, the load lock chamber 120.3     should be large enough to house a component, e.g. product A or     product B.

FIG. 2A shows the inspection apparatus 100 during a first process step in which a first component (Product A, e.g. a pellicle) undergoes measurement or inspection in the vacuum chamber while a second component (Product B) is being loaded into the load lock. In the embodiment as shown, the stage apparatus 130 comprises an X stage 130.1 configured to displace the product that is mounted to the stage apparatus, i.e. product A in FIG. 2A, in the X-direction and a Y-stage configured to displace the product A in the Y-direction.

-   The load lock is sealed off from the vacuum chamber; i.e. door 120.2     is closed. After loading of the product B into the load lock, in     particular the load lock chamber 120.3, the first door 120.1 can be     closed as well and the air can be pumped out of the load lock     chamber 120.3. This process of pumping out air can take place while     the product A is being measured. -   In a second step, shown in FIG. 2B, Product A is moved to the first     storage area (parking position 1, PP1, 140.1). In an embodiment,     this step can e.g. be performed by the stage apparatus 130, in     particular the X-stage 130.1 and the Y-stage 130.2. In an     embodiment, the stage apparatus 130 may e.g. comprise one or more     linear motors, e.g. a linear motor for displacing the object, e.g.     the pellicle, along the X-direction and a linear motor for     displacing the object along the Y-direction.

In a third step, shown in FIG. 2C, the load lock door 120.2 to the vacuum chamber 110 is opened and Product B is retrieved from the load lock 120 and moved into the vacuum chamber 110 while Product A remains in the first storage area 140.1.

In a fourth step, shown in FIG. 2D, Product B is moved to a second storage area (parking position 2, PP2, 140.2). In the embodiment as shown, the load lock 120 comprises a transfer mechanism 150 configured to transfer an object from the load lock 120 to the stage apparatus 130 and vice versa. It can be pointed out that such a transfer mechanism may also be located on the stage apparatus or elsewhere in the vacuum chamber 110. In an embodiment, an end portion 150.1 of the transfer mechanism may e.g. be configured to hold the object and lift and/or lowering the object.

In a fifth step, shown in FIG. 2E, Product A is returned to the load lock 120 from the first storage area 140.1. In this respect, it can be pointed out that, due to the application of two parking positions PP1 and PP2, this transfer can be performed by the stage apparatus 130. As such, due to the use of two parking positions, there is no requirement to install or use an additional transfer robot in the vacuum chamber.

Finally, in a sixth step, shown in FIG. 2F, the load lock 120 is sealed, i.e. load lock door 120.2 is closed, and returned to ambient conditions while Product B is tested. Once the load lock 120 returns to ambient conditions, Product A can be unloaded.

By using the first and second storage areas within the vacuum chamber, it is possible to reduce the measurement cycle time by a factor of approximately 1.5. This is because, in particular, a second component may be loaded or unloaded while a first component is undergoing measurement. In such a configuration, the loading/unloading time for one component overlaps with the measurement process time for another component, thus improving throughput of components to be tested/measured and reducing total processing time.

According to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, a second load lock may be used. In this configuration, loading and unloading may occur simultaneously. For example, while a first component is being measured, a second component may be unloaded following a previous measurement and a third component may be loaded prior to a subsequent measurement. Use of this process may reduce the measurement cycle time by up to two times. This may also reduce the amount of manufacturing equipment and/or clean-room space required for manufacturing the components since the throughput increases significantly.

-   A possible sequence of steps using a vacuum chamber having two load     locks is illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIGS. 3A-3C schematically     depict a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane (XZ-plane) FIG. 3A     shows an inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the     present invention. In the embodiment as shown, the inspection     apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber 210 having two load locks 1 and     2, also indicated by reference numbers 222 and 224. Three components     (Products A, B and C), e.g. objects such as pellicles for use in an     EUV lithographic apparatus, are located in the vacuum chamber 210     and load locks 222 and 224. Load locks 222 and 224 may e.g. have a     similar structure as the load lock 120, i.e. including a first door     and a second door and a load lock chamber, as described above. In     the embodiment as shown, Product A has already been processed in the     vacuum chamber 210 and has been moved to load lock 224. Load lock     224 has been sealed off from the vacuum chamber 210 and is being     returned to ambient conditions ready for unloading of product A.     Product B has been loaded into the vacuum chamber 210 from load lock     222 for processing. Load lock 222 has subsequently been sealed off     from the vacuum chamber and returned to ambient conditions to enable     Product C to be loaded into load lock 1. FIGS. 3A-3C further     schematically show a stage apparatus 230 arranged inside the vacuum     chamber 210. In the embodiment as shown, the load locks 222 and 224     further include transfer mechanisms 252 and 254 for transferring     objects from the load lock chambers to the vacuum chamber and vice     versa. -   Next, while Product B is measured and/or processed in the vacuum     chamber, load lock 1, 222 containing Product C can be brought from     ambient pressure to vacuum conditions. Subsequently, Product A is     unloaded from load lock 2, 224, which is then returned to vacuum     conditions ready to receive Product B. The door 224.2 separating     load lock 224 from the vacuum chamber 210 is then opened and Product     B is delivered to load lock 224 after the measuring process is     finished. This is illustrated in FIG. 3B. -   Simultaneously, load lock 222 continues to be brought to vacuum     conditions in order to allow Product C to be passed to the vacuum     chamber. -   Once load lock 222 has been brought to vacuum conditions, the door     222.2 separating load lock 222 from the vacuum chamber 210 is opened     and Product C is transferred to the vacuum chamber 210. At the same     time, load lock 224 is sealed off from the vacuum chamber 210 and     can be vented to ambient pressure so Product B can be unloaded.     Finally, measurement and/or processing of Product C can take place     while the next component is loaded into load lock 222. These steps     are schematically shown in FIG. 3C. -   In accordance with the present invention, the inspection apparatus     may further comprise a radiation source for inspecting the object     and a detector for receiving emitted, reflected or transmitted     radiation from the object, in order to perform an inspection or     quality assessment process. Within the meaning of the present     invention, such a radiation source may include any suitable form of     radiation, e.g. electromagnetic radiation or a particle beam such as     an electron beam or ion beam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inspection apparatus for inspecting objects such as pellicles.

-   Some lithographic apparatus comprise a pellicle attached to a     patterned reticle. The pellicle is a transmissive film which is     spaced a few millimetres away from the pattern of the reticle. A     contamination particle which is received on the pellicle is in the     far field with respect to the pattern of the reticle, and     consequently does not have a significant impact upon the quality of     image which is projected by the lithographic apparatus on to a     substrate. If the pellicle were not present then the contamination     particle may lie on the pattern of the reticle and could therefore     obscure a portion of the pattern, thereby preventing the pattern     from being projected correctly on to the substrate. -   An inspection apparatus, also referred to as a pellicle     qualification system may be configured to determine optical     properties (such as reflectivity and/or transmissivity) of the     pellicle in order to determine whether or not the pellicle is of a     high enough quality to be used in a lithographic apparatus. Such a     pellicle qualification or inspection may involve directing a     measurement radiation beam towards the pellicle and using radiation     sensors to detect an intensity of the measurement radiation beam     before and after it has interacted with the pellicle. This enables a     comparison of characteristics of the measurement radiation beam     before and after it has interacted with the pellicle, thereby     enabling determination of how the pellicle has affected the     measurement radiation beam and whether or not the pellicle is of a     high enough quality to be used in a lithographic apparatus. -   One known pellicle qualification system uses two radiation sensors     to detect an intensity of the measurement radiation beam before the     measurement radiation beam has interacted with the pellicle. A first     portion of the measurement radiation beam is directed along a main     measurement path where it interacts with the pellicle. A second     portion of the measurement radiation beam is directed to the     radiation sensors. Therefore, the two radiation sensors are located     on different optical paths and/or receive incident radiation at     different angles to the main measurement path. The optical paths may     differ from each other. The differences between different optical     paths may vary over time. For example, optical components in the     different optical paths (e.g. lenses and/or mirrors) may degrade     differently, temperature and subsequent thermal deformations may     vary, vacuum or gas variations in the optical path, etc. Due to the     different optical paths, there are random differences between the     first and second portions of the measurement radiation beam and     thereby reduce an accuracy of the known pellicle qualification     system. Known methods of improving an accuracy of the known pellicle     qualification system involve the use of beam splitters and/or     grazing mirrors. However, such optical components reduce an     intensity of the radiation, which in turn negatively affects an     accuracy of the system. The inspection apparatus according to the     second aspect of the present invention provides an alternative     manner to measure the radiation beam as applied to inspect or     qualify a pellicle. -   FIG. 4 schematically shows a top view (left side of FIG. 4) and a     side view (right side of FIG. 4) of the novel radiation beam     measurement system as applied in the inspection apparatus according     to the second aspect of the invention, also referred to as a     pellicle qualification system. -   The inspection apparatus according to the second aspect of the     invention may e.g. comprise:     -   a chamber configured to provide in a conditioned atmosphere for         inspecting the object;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the chamber and an         ambient environment;     -   a radiation beam source configured to generate a radiation beam         for inspecting the object;     -   a radiation beam measurement system configured to measure a         characteristic of the radiation beam.

In an embodiment, the conditioned atmosphere may e.g. be a vacuum environment. Depending on the type of radiation used for the inspection or qualification, other types of conditioned atmospheres or environment may be considered as well.

-   Within the meaning of the present invention, any suitable type of     radiation may be used as a radiation beam source for the inspection     or qualification of the pellicle. -   In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the     radiation beam measurement system as applied in the inspection     apparatus or pellicle qualification system further comprises:     -   a member arranged in an optical path of the radiation beam         between the radiation beam source and the object, the member         comprising an aperture to allow part of the radiation beam to         propagate to the object, and     -   at least one radiation sensor arranged on the member and         configured to measure to the characteristic of the radiation         beam.

In an embodiment, the radiation beam measurement system comprises a plurality of radiation sensors (e.g. four or eight radiation sensors) arranged on a member that is arranged in the optical path of the radiation beam between the radiation beam source and the object, i.e. downstream of the radiation beam source and upstream of the object. In the example of FIG. 4, the member 400 of the radiation beam measurement system is equipped with eight radiation sensors, reference numbers 1 to 8. In the embodiment as shown, the member 400 comprises a substantially rectangular aperture 410. The eight radiation sensors 1-8 are arranged on or along two opposite sides of the aperture 410. In FIG. 4, left side, reference number 412 refers to the width of the radiation beam after passing through the aperture 410, whereas reference number 414 refers to the width of the radiation beam that is incident on the member 400. In an embodiment, the radiation beam measurement system comprises at least one radiation sensor configure to measure a characteristic, e.g. an intensity of the radiation beam, i.e. the incoming radiation beam as depicted.

-   It may be preferable to use a larger number of radiation sensors     because any noise present in the measurement performed by the     radiation beam measurement system may be reduced by averaging the     measurements performed by each radiation sensor. The radiation     sensors may be configured to detect EUV radiation. The radiation     sensors may, for example, comprise photodiodes and/or cameras e.g.     charge-coupled devices. The radiation beam measurement system may be     configured to determine a spatial intensity profile of an incident     radiation beam. The radiation sensors may detect the measurement     radiation beam proximate to a central axis of the optical path of     the radiation beam that is to be measured. -   In an embodiment, the inspection system or pellicle qualification     system may comprise a spectral purity filter (SPF), 422 and a     detector 430, e.g. a charge-coupled device (CCD). In the embodiment     as shown the detector 430 is arranged downstream of the object, i.e.     the pellicle 440 that is to be inspected or qualified. In such     embodiment, the detector thus receives radiation that is transmitted     through the object 440. In general, the inspection apparatus     according to the second aspect of the present invention may be     configured to receive any type of radiation caused by interaction of     the radiation beam with the object 440. Such radiation can e.g.     include radiation that is emitted by the object or radiation that is     reflected by the object or radiation that is transmitted by or     through the object. -   The spectral purity filter 422 may be configured to filter the     incoming radiation beam 450 before the radiation beam 450 is     incident on the pellicle 440. The SPF 422 may thus be arranged     upstream of the pellicle 440. The CCD, in general the detector 430,     may be configured to detect the radiation beam 450 after the     radiation beam 450 has interacted with the pellicle 440. The     radiation sensors 1 to 8 of the radiation beam measurement system     may be arranged so as to detect the radiation beam 450 after the     radiation beam has interacted with the spectral purity filter 422     and before the radiation beam has interacted with the CCD 430. A     comparison between the measurement performed by the radiation beam     measurement system and the measurement performed by the CCD of the     pellicle qualification system may be used to determine what effect     the pellicle 440 had on the radiation beam, and thereby determine     whether or not the pellicle 440 is suitable for use in a     lithographic apparatus. -   The spectral purity filter 422 may be held in place by a support. In     the embodiment as shown, the spectral purity filter 422 is mounted     to the member 400 via the support 420. In the embodiment as shown,     the member 400 comprises an aperture 410 for at least part of the     radiation beam (which may be referred to as a first portion of the     radiation beam) to pass through before the radiation beam is     incident on the pellicle. The radiation sensors 1 to 8 of the     radiation beam measurement system may be installed on the member     400. Edges of the radiation sensors may be substantially aligned     with edges of the aperture of the member 400. The surfaces of the     member 400 on which the radiation beam measurement system is     installed, and the radiation sensors of the radiation beam     measurement system, act to block some of the incident radiation beam     450 (which may be referred to as a second portion of the incident     radiation beam). Since the edges of the radiation sensors are     substantially aligned with edges of the aperture 410 of the member     400, the radiation beam measurement system is able to measure     characteristics of the radiation beam 450 as close as possible to a     central axis of the radiation beam without affecting the portion of     the radiation beam that interacts with the pellicle (and which may     be detected by the CCD 430 of the inspection apparatus or pellicle     qualification system). The radiation beam measurement system may be     the final optical component to interact with the radiation beam     before the radiation beam is incident on the pellicle 440. The     influence of all other optical components in the optical path of the     radiation beam is thereby included and accounted for in the     measurement performed by the radiation beam measurement system.     Thus, variations in the optical path of the radiation beam have less     of an effect on the accuracy of the novel radiation beam measurement     system compared to the known radiation beam measurement system. -   The radiation beam measurement system advantageously enables in-situ     monitoring of characteristics (e.g. energy, spatial intensity     profile, dose, etc.) of the incident radiation beam without     significantly affecting the radiation beam. This may improve an     accuracy of subsequent measurements performed using the radiation     beam after the radiation beam has interacted with the pellicle. The     radiation beam measurement system allows for a set-up calibration     using the CCD 430 as a reference. For example when there is no     pellicle 440 disposed between the support and the CCD 430, both the     radiation sensors 1 to 8 of the radiation beam measurement system     and the CCD 430 can be used to determine characteristics of the     incident radiation beam 450. The direct measurement from the CCD 430     of the first portion of the radiation beam can be used to calibrate     the in-direct measurement from the radiation sensors 1 to 8 of the     radiation beam measurement system. The radiation beam measurement     system is compact and easy to install and use. The radiation beam     measurement system may be capable of reconstructing a spatial     intensity profile of the radiation by, for example, using a     combination of known positions of the radiation sensors, performing     reference measurements, comparing measurements with a database of     information regarding characteristics of the radiation beam, and     fitting algorithms. The radiation beam measurement system may be     less expensive to install and/or operate than known radiation beam     measurement systems.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the radiation sensors 1 to 8 are provided along two opposite sides of the aperture 410, said opposite sides extending in the Y-direction. It may be advantageous to included or provide radiation sensors along one or two sides extending in the X-direction as well. Such an embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 schematically shows, in addition to the features shown in FIG. 4, a further pair of radiation sensors 20, 21 which are arranged on or along the two opposite sides of the aperture 410 extending in the X-direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one radiation sensor is arranged along a circumference of the aperture 410 of the member 400 of the radiation beam measurement system. In an embodiment, at least one radiation sensor is arranged along each side of the aperture 410 of the member 400.

In an embodiment, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention may advantageously be used for measuring transmission and/or reflection characteristics of objects such as pellicles, in particular EUV pellicles. In such embodiment, the inspection apparatus may thus be referred to as an EUV pellicle transmission and/or reflection measurement tool. In such embodiment, the one or both properties as measured in such tools are:

-   -   a) the EUV radiation transmission through the membrane or         pellicle, i.e. the % of EUV radiation vs. total radiation, which         is passing unabsorbed by the membrane or pellicle, and/or the         EUV radiation reflected by the membrane, and/or

-   b) the EUV radiation reflected by the membrane or pellicle, i.e. the     % of EUV radiation reflected back by the membrane or pellicle.

-   It can also be pointed out that part of the EUV radiation may be     absorbed by the membrane or pellicle. By measuring both the     reflected and transmitted EUV radiation, combined with information     on the total EUV radiation towards the membrane or pellicle, the     relation between the three radiation components, i.e. reflected,     absorbed, transmitted, can be determined. The reflection and     transmission property can e.g. be measured with radiation detectors,     for example CCD cameras such as CCD 430 as shown above. In     particular, a CCD camera can be arranged in an optical path of the     transmitted EUV radiation as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Similarly, a     CCD camera can be arranged in an optical path of the reflected EUV     radiation, in order to determined the amount of EUV radiation that     is reflected. Such cameras may e.g. be referred to as a T-CCD     (transmission) and an R-CCD (reflection).

-   The present invention can also be described by the following     clauses:

-   Clause 1: Inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a     pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection     apparatus comprising:     -   a vacuum chamber;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and         an ambient environment;     -   a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the load         lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber;

-   wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a first parking position and a     second parking position for temporarily storing the object.

-   Clause 2: The inspection apparatus according to clause 1, further     comprising a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the object     from the load lock to the stage apparatus and vice versa.

-   Clause 3: The inspection apparatus according to clause 2, wherein     the transfer mechanism is at least partly arranged inside the load     lock.

-   Clause 4: The inspection apparatus according to clause 2, wherein     the transfer mechanism is mounted to the stage apparatus.

-   Clause 5: The inspection apparatus according to any of the preceding     clauses, wherein the load lock comprises a first door, a second door     and a load lock chamber, the first door being configured to separate     the ambient environment from the load lock chamber, the second door     being configured to separate the vacuum chamber from the load lock     chamber.

-   Clause 6: The inspection apparatus according to clause 1, wherein     the stage apparatus is configured to transfer an object from the     stage apparatus to the first parking position and vice versa and     wherein the stage apparatus is configured to transfer an object from     the stage apparatus to the second parking position and vice versa.

-   Clause 7: The inspection apparatus according to any of the preceding     clauses, wherein the stage apparatus comprises a holder for holding     the object.

-   Clause 8: Inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a     pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection     apparatus comprising:     -   a vacuum chamber;     -   a first load lock forming an interface between the vacuum         chamber and an ambient environment;     -   a second load lock forming an interface between the vacuum         chamber and an ambient environment;     -   a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the         first load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum         chamber and configured to provide the object to the second load         lock.

-   Clause 9: Inspection apparatus for inspecting an object such as a     pellicle for use in an EUV lithographic apparatus, the inspection     apparatus comprising:     -   a chamber configured to provide in a conditioned atmosphere for         inspecting the object;     -   a load lock forming an interface between the chamber and an         ambient environment;     -   a radiation beam source configured to generate a radiation beam         for inspecting the object;     -   a radiation beam measurement system configured to measure a         characteristic of the radiation beam, wherein the radiation beam         measurement system comprises:         -   a member arranged in an optical path of the radiation beam             between the radiation beam source and the object, the member             comprising an aperture to allow part of the radiation beam             to propagate to the object, and         -   at least one radiation sensor arranged on the member and             configured to measure the characteristic of the radiation             beam.

-   Clause 10: The inspection apparatus according to clause 9, wherein     the at least one radiation sensor is arranged along a circumference     of the aperture.

-   Clause 11: The inspection apparatus according to clause 9 or 10,     wherein the aperture has a substantially rectangular shape.

-   Clause 12: The inspection apparatus according to clause 11, wherein     the radiation beam measurement system comprises a radiation sensor     along at least two sides of the aperture.

-   Clause 13: The inspection apparatus according to clause 11 or 12,     wherein the radiation beam measurement system comprises at least one     radiation sensor along each side of the aperture.

-   Clause 14: The inspection apparatus according to any of the clauses     9 to 13, wherein the radiation beam measurement system further     comprises a spectral purity filter arranged upstream of the member     in the optical path.

-   Clause 15: The inspection apparatus according to clause 14, wherein     the spectral purity filter is mounted to the member.

-   Clause 16: The inspection apparatus according to clause 14 or 15,     wherein the at least one radiation sensor is arranged downstream of     the spectral purity filter.

-   Clause 17: The inspection apparatus according to any of the clauses     9 to 16, further comprising a detector configured to receive     radiation caused by interaction of the radiation beam with the     object.

-   Clause 18: The inspection apparatus according to clause 17, wherein     the radiation comprises radiation transmitted by the object.

-   Clause 19: The inspection apparatus according to clause 18, wherein     the detector is arranged downstream of the object.

-   Clause 20: The inspection apparatus according to any of the clauses     17-19, wherein the detector comprises a CCD.

-   Clause 21: EUV pellicle transmission measurement tool comprising an     inspection apparatus according to any of the clauses 9 to 20.

-   Clause 22: EUV pellicle transmission and reflection measurement tool     comprising an inspection apparatus according to any of the clauses 9     to 20.

Although specific reference may be made in this text to the use of lithographic apparatus in the manufacture of ICs, it should be understood that the lithographic apparatus described herein may have other applications. Possible other applications include the manufacture of integrated optical systems, guidance and detection patterns for magnetic domain memories, flat-panel displays, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), thin-film magnetic heads, etc.

Although specific reference may be made in this text to embodiments of the invention in the context of a lithographic apparatus, embodiments of the invention may be used in other apparatus. Embodiments of the invention may form part of a mask inspection apparatus, a metrology apparatus, or any apparatus that measures or processes an object such as a wafer (or other substrate) or mask (or other patterning device). These apparatus may be generally referred to as lithographic tools. Such a lithographic tool may use vacuum conditions or ambient (non-vacuum) conditions.

Although specific reference may have been made above to the use of embodiments of the invention in the context of optical lithography, it will be appreciated that the invention, where the context allows, is not limited to optical lithography and may be used in other applications, for example imprint lithography.

Where the context allows, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g. carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and others. Further, firmware, software, routines, instructions may be described herein as performing certain actions. However, it should be appreciated that such descriptions are merely for convenience and that such actions in fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc. and in doing that may cause actuators or other devices to interact with the physical world.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set out below. 

1. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an object, the inspection apparatus comprising: a vacuum chamber; a load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and an ambient environment; a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a first parking position and a second parking position for temporarily storing the object.
 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the object from the load lock to the stage apparatus and vice versa.
 3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer mechanism is at least partly arranged inside the load lock.
 4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer mechanism is mounted to the stage apparatus.
 5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load lock comprises a first door, a second door and a load lock chamber, the first door configured to separate the ambient environment from the load lock chamber, and the second door configured to separate the vacuum chamber from the load lock chamber.
 6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage apparatus is configured to transfer an object from the stage apparatus to the first parking position and vice versa and wherein the stage apparatus is configured to transfer an object from the stage apparatus to the second parking position and vice versa.
 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage apparatus comprises a holder for holding the object.
 8. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an object, the inspection apparatus comprising: a vacuum chamber; a first load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and an ambient environment; a second load lock forming an interface between the vacuum chamber and an ambient environment; and a stage apparatus configured to receive the object from the first load lock and displace the object inside the vacuum chamber and configured to provide the object to the second load lock.
 9. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an object, the inspection apparatus comprising: a chamber configured to provide a conditioned atmosphere for inspecting the object; a load lock forming an interface between the chamber and an ambient environment; a radiation beam source configured to generate a radiation beam for inspecting the object; and a radiation beam measurement system configured to measure a characteristic of the radiation beam, wherein the radiation beam measurement system comprises: a member arranged in an optical path of the radiation beam between the radiation beam source and the object, the member comprising an aperture to allow part of the radiation beam to propagate to the object, and at least one radiation sensor arranged on the member and configured to measure the characteristic of the radiation beam.
 10. The inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is arranged along a periphery of the aperture.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the radiation beam measurement system comprises a radiation sensor along at least two sides of the aperture.
 13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the radiation beam measurement system comprises at least one radiation sensor along each side of the aperture.
 14. The inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the radiation beam measurement system further comprises a spectral purity filter arranged upstream of the member in the optical path.
 15. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the spectral purity filter is mounted to the member.
 16. The inspection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is arranged downstream of the spectral purity filter.
 17. The inspection apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a detector configured to receive radiation caused by interaction of the radiation beam with the object.
 18. The inspection apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the radiation comprises radiation transmitted by the object.
 19. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the detector is arranged downstream of the object.
 20. (canceled)
 21. An EUV pellicle transmission measurement tool comprising the inspection apparatus according to claim
 9. 22. An EUV pellicle transmission and reflection measurement tool comprising the inspection apparatus according to claim
 9. 